Gear Review: Vado Pocket Video Camera

Get YouTube-ready, 640x480 resolution video cheap and easy with this deck-of-cards-size camera. It saves up to two hours of footage on its internal 2GB card, and requires only three buttons to control all functions, including volume and zoom. Downloading is a cinch with the tuck-away USB tab; it transfers movies to your computer while simultaneously charging the unit's onboard battery–no extra cables or software required. Pros Simple to operate, with good low-light and cold-weather performance. Cons Battery life is short–about two hours in warm weather–so buy an extra rechargeable ($15) for multiday trips. creativelabs.com

Best For Tight budgets; straight-to-web video

Tester Data

Berne Broudy

Duration Dec. to March

Conditions 0° to 50°F; CO, UT, VT, NY

"To get yourself in the video, too, pack a mini tripod, like the Pedco Ultrapod 1." $15; pedcopods.com